Tech Giant To Produce Free Autism Apps

Hewlett-Packard is teaming up with a pair of autism organizations to develop apps to help people with the disorder handle everything from scheduling and communication to bullying.

At a “hackathon” scheduled for Oct. 11, the computer giant plans to bring together a slew of volunteer developers tasked with creating apps to address seven core areas of need for people within the autism community.

Some of the apps are expected to be designed for individuals with the disorder to use themselves. These might include apps featuring social stories, help with time management, assistive communication software or a tool to report bullying. Other applications will be designed to help parents and professionals track progress with behavior or other medical concerns.

Ideas for the apps were selected from over 250 suggestions submitted to Autism Speaks and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, which partnered with HP on the “Hacking Autism” initiative.

Once complete, the apps will be provided to the public free of charge, according to officials at Autism Speaks.

Organizers said it’s not yet clear what platforms the apps will work on, though they hope to make the software available for smartphone and tablet users.

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